Overclocking with nForce 2

Overclocking in practice - what to do

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[Link to CPU Multipler Overclocking]

Overclocking in practice:

After the concept of how we intend to proceed we can now tackle the actual over-
clocking itself.

Although there are programmes to overclock nForce2, we always fundamentally
recommend overclocking via the BIOS.
We will generally proceed in stages with the overclocking. This has the advantage 
that we will not provide any more CPU vcore voltage as necessary and one can 
coax out certain information from the CPU which could be useful.

CPU vcore conduct, performance curve dependent on vcore voltage.
One can often determine when the CPU approaches the performence curve.
This sounds complicated but actually it isn't. We really only observe physical 
behaviour and can extract information from it.

To overclock the memory, mainboard chipset in stages normally means playing 
about with the BIOS Setup, Windows Start, System Test and once again the 
BIOS Setup with higher clock speed.

This proceedure (BIOS Setup / Windows Start) appears to be fiddly and it actually is.
In order to make it easier we can employ an Overclocking Tool that runs on all 
nForce2 mainboards. With this one can increase the Front Side Bus up to Windows
level. 
In order to check the system for stability a test programme will be used.

Whoever wishes to overclock the memory as well will need a further test
programme to check for any memory [RAM] errors on it.
We will not leave anything here to chance. In order to proceed please download:
ClockGen to alter the CPU FSB onto Windows level.
Super PI Stability Test for the CPU and Memory [RAM]
In case the Memory [RAM]is also to be overclocked, also:
Memtest to check for memory errors.

Whoever plans to simply overclock the CPU via the Multiplicator does not require
the ClockGen Programme. Unfortunately one must here continually use the BIOS
Setup / Windows Start proceedure.

Dependant on the choosen strategy in page 2 of this guide, the increase of the CPU
FSB or the Multiplicator comes into question. I will start in the guide with FSB 
overclocking. 
CPU Multiplicator overclocking will be dealt with on the next Web Page . [Link]

CPU Overclocking via the Front Side Bus [FSB]:

Before we start using the ''Clock Gen'' programme we will go into the BIOS and 
increase the CPU vcore voltage one step higher. (only one step)

It doesn't matter how good our CPU is. We will not proceed far with the normal
default vcore and we don't want to return again immediately to the BIOS. 
If you plan to overclock the memory as well, you should choose the next possible
vdimm setting. This is udmost 2.77 Volts. 
If you are an AMD XP-M user please choose another FSB Setup in the BIOS and set 
the CPU FSB preferably to 166 with the CPU Multiplicator set to 11.
In this way every mobile CPU should be allright.

Don't alter the CPU Front Side Bus in the BIOS yet. We will determine the final value
once we have carried out the tests. 
Now that the BIOS is set up initially in order to move the CPU FSB to new heights, we
are ready for the test proceedre. Save the BIOS and exit it.

With Super PI the stability of the system will be checked at regular intervals. 
We will use the Option 1M Calculation with 19 Loops in Super PI.
With ClockGen at Windows level the CPU FSB variables will be set higher.

Both programmes should now be installed. Please open ClockGen. 
Initially the programme window appears empty:
. Fenster schaut erst einmal leer aus:

When we click on ''get Values'' we acquire the actual FSB Clock Speed

It will look like this for example:

The actual CPU FSB and the AGP Clock Speed are visible

In the test we will simply use the ''FSB'' slider !

The first new FSB value to be set depends on what sort of CPU you have. 
As a good rule of thumb an increase of between 8 and 10 will more or less prove to
be ok with a FSB333 CPU. Therefore a FSB of 174 to 176. 
With a FSB400 CPU one should proceed with more caution and enter with FSB 204 to
206 as the Memory is to overclocked with it as well.

From now on I will split the FSB Overclocking into Group 1 using the CPU FSB333 
and including Mobile CPU with similar setups and Group 2 the FSB400 CPU which
requires that we proceed with more caution with the FSB Increase as the Memory
RAM will be Overclocked as well. 
Users with a FSB333 CPU and DDR333 Memory [RAM] please follow the steps in
Group 2 as in this case Memory [RAM] overclocking likewise has a role to play. 
In order that the Web Page doesn't get too long, you can reach [Area/Group 2]
by clicking here: 

Further with Group 1 - FSB333 CPU including Mobile CPU - RAM DDR400 or more. 
Our first new ClockGen choice was:  FSB 174 bis 176
We save the FSB simply with ''Set Values'' and it is already active.

In all foresight an error should not appear with this FSB, if however it does then
choose a smaller FSB, eg. 170

Our CPU has now been overclocked for the first time. We should now test the 
system for stability. To do this we will start the programme ''Super PI'' and 
carry out as a test a 1M  Calculation.
Choose  ''Calculate'' from the top toolbar and then select ''1M'' and click on ''OK'' 
to start the calculation

The calculations are tested in 19 Loops and all should run without errors. 
If the test breaks before the 19ten Loop from our system does not run faultlessly.
When all of the loops have run through we are presented with the following 
screen:

Click on the picture to enlarge this Message: ''PI calculation is done'' is fine Avoids work of background programs in run are. This does the calculation only more slowly.

If the test was successful we can proceed further with Clock Gen and increase 
the CPU FSB once again.
For further FSB step increases the 3rd to 5th steps are recommended.
Afterwards run Super PI once again and continue as before ...
As long as the overclocking continues to run without causing problems you can 
carry on experimenting.

What happens if a Super PI error appears ? 
If the CPU doesn't run error free and regardless of with which FSB Overclocking the
error occurs, the remedy must take place in the CPU vcore.
To start with the CPU vcore increase is no problem. 
During the course of overclocking we will possibly be confronted with the vcore 
voltage which can be critical for the CPU and also could be unhealthy.
We won't lay out any clear norms here as to which CPU vcores are regarded 
as critical ! Every Overclocker rises vcore on own risk. 
According to experience 1.825 to maximum 1.85 volt vcore is possible with a good 
CPU Cooling System. An XP Mobile CPU with 1.45v v/core as normal should not be
increased to any great extent.

By overclocking in small stages as explained above you will notice when the CPU 
requires more vcore voltage.
During overclocking you will notice that even for relatively small FSB increases 
more v/core voltage will be required. This is a clear signal that the CPU is reaching
the limit of it's performence.
Only a few steps further or indeed immediately a v/core increase will no longer
allow a FSB increase. This is then the End of CPU overclocking.
We have reached the highest possible level of overclocking.
There now follows only the simple step of transferring the achieved FSB increase to 
the BIOS and saving them there. ClockGen has completed it's work, the programme
is no longer required.

The Super PI Calculation is a right quick calculation and isn't an extreme test of
System stability. We shouldn't rely 100% on this test !
What should follow is a longer more intensive stress test with Super PI or with 
Prime. Download this progam Prime 2005 from our  Download Portal. 
In Super PI one should choose the 32M Calculation as the final test.


Both Super PI and Prime require a fair amount of time. Its best to run the tests 
when you don't need to use the PC for other purposes. 
The programme Prime can be started as follows:  [for screenshot]

An alternative or additional stress test can be found in the programme 
SI Sandra. [Link] 
In some benchmark tests the Windows own Media Encorer is used. 
These tests also stress the CPU to the limits of it's max. output.

If any of the programmes produce an error message, then set back the overclocking
minimally and run the tests again. 
At the end of it you will have a system that is stable ! 

Questions to the Guide or practice can be placed in our Hardware Forum [Link] 

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